The Secrecy Clause: Timeline of Inaction

Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 makes it a criminal offence to disclose detailed information about scientific procedures inflicted on animals in the United Kingdom. The urgent need to change section 24 has been recognised by multiple UK governments as a necessary step towards improving openness and transparency in animal experiments.

But instead of responding to the public and scientific community’s demands to repeal section 24, a baffling series of delays and missed opportunities has occurred.